The thought occurs that when applying in Botswana for a swamp job:
A pilot with 200 hours could be expected to be going for a first break. A pilot with 10,000 hours could be expected only to be going there for the fun of it. But a pilot with 2,500 hours could be expected to have already landed a decent full time job with an airline, so why is he there at all? Unless of course, he's very old.

Thing is some people dont have any desire to fly for the airlines, or some charter jet, I have the hours, degree and all that, just not one ounce of desire to do that type of "flying", bush and floats are where my heart is at.

Current plan is get a seat in a C208 (have +/-1200hrs Pic in a 331 powered 208B) and do some rewarding and challenging flying, thing is I honestly enjoy FLYING. Maybe work my way up to Chief Pilot after a few years.

Another reason I want to live over there is the culture of expats and the locals.. Seattle, LA, etc are great but not where my heart takes me.

One day I could see myself opening up a single plane 135 up north in the US , right now I see myself building up some experiences in africa.

I just hope my hours and ATP don't cause me any issues?!

KIWI (NZ) pilots in botswana/Namibia
 

Any kiwis out there - maybe even from CTC or Massey?

love to get some insight into your experiences

to everyone whos gonna rip me one for asking for tips on africa 'cause its already discussed' - Yes i know - im trying to find some kiwis there now to have a chat with.

No Kiwis left in Africa. We ate 'em all.


It's your own fault for tasting like chicken...

Hahaha
 

Better not come then :O

Lilflyboy is no longer in Africa, but he spent some time trundling around the swamps. Drop him a PM.

And so so so so tempted to come back.
Sure beats to socks off of flying around the frozen north of Canada.

LB, forecast temperatures for this week in Maun: 34,35,35,36,37,37. Glorious clear blue skies and just having a cold beer by the river at ORL.

Guys ref. experience; I can only speak as a consultant not an employer or employee in the charter business. I am sure that the companies would welcome experienced pilots. They need people who have the experience and knowledge to become trainers and hold more senior posts than just being a line 'Biggles'. Also it is easier for them to get you work permits.

BUT and this is the BIG advice: Don't arrive here as Capt Know-All (this has been mentioned before). None of the 'I have always done it this way'. Accept the SOPs even if you disagree. Accept that you are still a new boy/girl in the field and willing to listen and learn. Make all this very clear in your first contact with a company. Also stress the point that you enjoy 'flying' not being a systems operator and the different way of life here compared to airline schedules. I know, I have; 'been there, seen it, done it' and would love to fly here in my retirement but only mornings, and say just three days a week! ATPL 8,000+ hrs single piston, twin turbine, fast jet, heavy four jet and wide bodied, any offers please?

Kalahari killings
 

Dear all,

In your time in Maun did anybody come across the story of the two RAF pilots killed by Bushmen in Botswana in 1943 after getting lost on a training flight from Bulawayo? Or the story of the pilot who bailed out broke his ankle and ended up being found by a herd-boy and being taken to Serowe?!

The former I have lots of info on, but I am always willing to hear more. The second I have only from a single source - The Hunting Blackbeards!

Many thanks

Sorry for the posting here, but I figure it might get the most response.

I recently discovered the tv series 'Bush Pilots'; does anyone know if the show will ever be back for another season?

Thanks

I think if you look around on either this thread... or at least in this forum, you will be able to find the producers of the show. They were on here asking a few questions. Can ask the guys yourself!

Programme
 

I spoke with the producers sometime ago during their pursuit to find guys setting out for this endeavour. At the time they had hopes for shooting more than one series. However, this was sometime ago so things may be different now.

I have a question regarding getting a tourist visa on arrival in Maun;

On the arrivals card that you normally fill in on arrival in a foreign country, what have prospective bush pilots put in the past where it asks for your occupation? Or does the paperwork in Botswana not even ask?

I'm a wee bit worried about admitting to being a pilot when I'm at the airport. Thoughts?

(76 days til I get there!)

I've put butcher.
Come on man, be a bit creative, put on the questionnaire whatever floats your boat.

You can put amputee dwarf goat porn fluffer if you like.

The gelled hair, big watch, poser shades and steely-eyed-master-of-the-sky attitude is what usually gives it away.:}

Based on a rapid analysis of previous posts in this thread it seems that it would not be inappropriate to declare one's occupation as 'Professional Indigent'.

In otherwords.... Put tourist ;)

Hi !

I'm heading down to maun from Quebec, Canada between november (2013) and January (2014).
I have my CPL with 240hrs and i'll have my multi and IFR rating before october.

Anyone heading down there during this time?

C206 Positions Available: AvCom ? View topic - C206 Positions Available

I might go as well. It would be nice to organize something, mean not to go there not "knowing" anyone..

@ Altis,

Well Actually I am . Maybe January 2014. I received my CPL almost 3 weeks ago, And I am also very interested to work in Africa. Some real flying . Therefore I am searching also in Botwana.

Nothing is sure yet if it will happen, but my intentions are there.

Hi everyone,
i will be arriving at JNB on nov 6, if anyone else arrives there around this time and wants to make the journey to maun by bus together let me know and we can arrange a meet or something...

@theops,P40 and Adar ,
guys I would seriously reconsider going if you dont meet the local minimum requirements.These are not company minimums but government requiremnts on licence validation and work permits.
If you still decide to try your luck,then good luck.I've decided even my 1100 TT may not be good enough without current C208 rating and no C206/210 time.

i agree with you man, but just like someone here said before, these regs might disappear just as fast as they came up, i've worked in africa before (not in aviation) and got to learn quite a bit on how things work down there, and offcourse i don't know abt you or the rest here, but there are many more places in africa to go look at, maun is simply the first stop for me, a place to meet nice pilots from around the world and get a sence on how things work down there... offcourse it would be my first choice as a place to work, after all, there is only one okavango delta...
after a good amount of calculations i decided that my chances of finding a job in maun are approximately 0.07%, but guess what, it ain't 0... :)

And as you are there why not hop on a bus rock yourself over to Windhoek and see what's happening there. Nam authorities might still not be as choosy as the Bots guys. Although new ideas might come overnight (in my time they wanted to implement that no foreigner under 2000TT should be hired, all this standup style... :ugh:)

Propcowboy and Just as Small.

Thanks for the hints. Well I am considering to do some hour building anyway. But if never try, you never win.
But appreciate the things you pointed out.

Another thing is, are there any companies who hire newbees with low amount of hours? I am talking about 200 hours.
And where should I get C206 Endorsement? Anyone can give me effortable options in Europe?

Namibia, Angola or Zambia are also an option for me.

Thanks!
 

This thread is so informative. Thanks to all of its contributors!

For low hours like myself, jobs are just scarce or regulatory requirements prevents us from getting a chance locally. I'm seriously considering bush flying in the near future, once I've recovered from all those financial blows anyways. :hmm:

We should start a group for those who wants to embark on this adventure for next year's hiring season.

Namibia is probably the best place to try. Zambia you need 1000hrs and I'm not sure about Angola, but you need to speak Portuguese at least!
Botswana, well you just never know. If there isn't enough local pilots to fill the gaps then they will have to take whatever is around.
Its worth trying.

thanks for the tip lilflyboy, nam is certainly on the route aswell, i used to work in angola in the namib desert just on the other side of the border, what an amazing scenery and coast line, could only imagine how beautiful it would look from above from the 210's cockpit...
btw, i know this might be a stupid question but i can't find the answer anywhere else so i'll give it a try, suppose i found a place to get the 206/210 type in SA, do i must have my license validated there just to get the type? or should that be possible to do on my FAA CPL?
(already have the "complex" and "high performance" endorsements)

Russians?
 

Hello guys,
First of all thank you very much for this informative thread!

We are a couple of guys that are planning to go to Maun at the end of November/beginning of December.

But I was wondering, anyone knows if there are many Russian tourists there? I can speak Russian and would like to know how big advantage that could be - if any?

Once again, thank you very much all.

There is a few Russian tourists.
When I was there an oil tycoon came in and hired out an entire camp. Chartered a few caravan to take him and his prostitutes to the camp... and then to swap out the prostitutes half way through.
Some of them came back sporting interesting bruises....
Speaking the language isn't really going to help you though.

As for that question Adar, I'm not entirely sure. I am pretty sure that CAAB didn't think about that when they were putting the rules in place since the Bots licence is a specific rating.
Perhaps just getting the hours and an endorsement sticker put in your logbook should be enough, but don't quote me on that.
Perhaps a phone call to CAAB might be in order?

Hello to all.

I'm planning to go to Maun around mid-November. My first time over there.
Is anyone heading there in November?

Hello Wingover85, I am also planning to go there and also my first time.
May I ask how many hours you have?

By the way, anyone know where one can rent a room in Maun?
Thanks a lot in advance.

Hello guys



I am planning to go to Africa because I want to fly bush flight. Most of the companies state that the minimum 200 hours will be required. Is that total with sim or 200hrs. without sim?
I have 168 hours real flight time and 63 sim hours.


Thank you in advance

RTM.
Read The Manual.
Or in this case, read the thread you posted in.
The minimums are no longer 200 hours.

I also read different hours requirements. Some say 250, some say 500.
Here it is stated 250 for Zimbabwe:
Wilderness Air : : Employment Opportunities

lilflyboy, thnx for the reply, these guys are a bit hard to reach on the phone but i'm sure i'll find a way to get the type done somewhere...

to all the other motivated pilots here who are thinking of making the trip this year, i created a facebook group called "maun wannabes", a place where we can help each other out find all the information we need and hopefully help as many of us get jobs as possible.
sorry about the name, if you have a better suggestion feel free to to tell me, here's the link for the group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/425772944201164/

hello.
 

I am sushant. I am applying for a visitor visa, since I am an Indian resident and I need to apply for one before I can come over. I was looking for a couple of references in Botswana for my application. They need names of 2 persons with their addresses, tel no, resident permit no and id no. I am coming over In search of a pilot job and need these to complete my application for visa. I appeal to all who read my post to kindly help me with atleast 1 reference if not 2 so I can apply and get my visa in time to be there in November. Kindly do forward to people who you might know and are willing to help me with the aforementioned details. Thanks and take care all.

@sushant2724
 

Sushant, I dont think references will be necessary if you apply for a tourist visa, instead of a visitor visa. Try contacting a travel agent/tour operator who is well versed with Botswana tourist visas, might help.

hi
 

Thank you Sierra. I have been on the Botswana High Commission website and they just have one and the same form for tourist and visitor visas. Actually, they are just calling it a visitor visa now. They dont have any separate form for tourist visa. Hence, I have to look for 2 references. Even 1 will do. If you or any one comes across someone or an Indian who is settled in Botswana, please let me know. I will speak with him or her, explain myself and try to get the necessary details. Are you in Botswana right now? Thanks for you concern. Have a good day.